Widespread rumors swirled among Philadelphia Phillies fans on social media on August 13, 2025, suggesting Kyle Schwarber would be awarded the keys to the city of Cincinnati before the Phillies’ game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park. This speculation quickly gained momentum in the hours leading up to the game, fueled by posts from notable local sports media figures.
The claim initially appeared on X (formerly Twitter) at 10:03 a.m. ET, when Jack Fritz, a radio show host from SportsRadio 94WIP, tweeted that Schwaber was about to receive the ceremonial honor. His message declared this as an unprecedented move aimed at attracting the free agent to Cincinnati’s ballclub.
BREAKING: The city of Cincinnati is giving Kyle Schwarber the keys to the city before today’s game in addition to yesterday’s first pitch. A truly unprecedented move to lure the big time free agent to the city.— Jack Fritz (@JackFritzWIP) August 13, 2025
Local Sports Journalists Reinforce the Key to the City Story
Hours after Fritz’s posts, Amy Fadool Kane, a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Philadelphia, contributed to the rumor by citing Reds reporter Bob Cooney as confirming the gesture. Kane’s tweet noted her disbelief until she received confirmation from Cooney, who was present at the ballpark.
Texted our man on the scene @BobCooney76 to see what nonsense the Reds were up to today with Kyle Schwarber, after I figured they were the ones to give his dad & coach tickets for first pitch. I thought Bob was kidding with giving the ‘key to the city’ reply. He’s not. They are.— Amy Fadool Kane (@amyfadoolNBCS) August 13, 2025
Following this, the popular Philly sports blog Crossing Broad further spread the rumor, attributing its source to Nati Sports, adding credibility to the speculation among Phillies and Reds fans alike.
The Actual Pre-Game Events Involving Schwarber and His Family
The key to the city rumor began more than 13 hours after Kyle Schwarber participated in a ceremonial first pitch event on Tuesday night. Taken onto the field by his father Greg Schwarber and youth baseball coach Ron Groh, Schwarber marked the occasion alongside those who influenced his early baseball career with Middie Way Youth Baseball & Softball in Middletown, Ohio.
Kyle Schwarber, a free agent after the current season, hails from Middletown, situated roughly 30 miles from Cincinnati. The Reds were his childhood favorite team, and he has recently acknowledged in interviews that playing for his hometown squad is a natural aspiration.
I’ve always said that at some point in your career, if you would ask the childhood Kyle what team you’d like to play for, it would be Cincinnati,
Schwarber said.
I think those are natural thoughts, that it would be appealing. But you never know what happens in free agency. Going through it a couple of times now, it’s an interesting scenario.
Official Clarification: No Keys to the City Awarded
Despite the viral social media posts, verification from the Cincinnati Mayor’s Office clarified that Kyle Schwarber did not receive the keys to the city of Cincinnati. Sportsnaut confirmed this directly with city officials, debunking the preceding rumor and ending speculation around the ceremonial gesture.
Kyle Schwarber’s Season Performance and Free Agency Outlook
Currently in the final year of a $79 million contract signed prior to the 2022 season, Schwarber is enjoying an MVP-caliber campaign in 2025. His production has far exceeded expectations attached to his contract, with 173 home runs over four seasons with Philadelphia, including three seasons eclipsing 40 homers.
Looking ahead to free agency after the season, Schwarber is expected to command a significant contract, with potential bids of $30 million or more on the open market due to his performance and productivity.
Significance of the Rumor and What to Watch Next
This episode highlights the eagerness among fans and media to closely follow Kyle Schwarber’s future, particularly given his ties to the Cincinnati area and current free agent status. The false report of the keys to the city demonstrates how quickly misinformation can spread through social media, especially when tied to high-profile athletes.
Going forward, Schwarber’s decisions regarding his next team will be closely watched by fans in both Philadelphia and Cincinnati, as well as across Major League Baseball. While he did not receive the symbolic keys to Cincinnati, interest from his hometown club and others could remain a focal point through the upcoming offseason.